13/8/2014 to 9/9/2014Rurópolis ,BR to Christchurch,NZ ,returnDistance: Circumnavigated the planet Having spoken to my sister on my second day in Rurópolis, it was decided to make a trip home, my father was not at all well. The trip back to Christchurch involved a 4 hour bus trip to Santarém, then a flight to Manaus. All sorts of problems arose here in Manaus, as I could not purchase international E tickets on Emirates with an Australian credit card. The procedure crashed when a Brazil ID number was required to be entered. Emirates call centre said this is how it works for them in BR. A trip into town was made to try and find a travel agent to book a flight. A helpful guy from a youth hostal took me to a friend of his who had a travel agency. Maria, who owned the agency, solved my dilemma. She owns Paradise Turismo, in Av Eduardo Ribeiro Térreo, Edificio Zullmira Bittencourt, Manaus Ph +5592 3633-8301. My flights took me to Sao Paulo to Dubai, to Bangkok, Sydney, CHCH over 4 days. It was a marathon effort. Though, these days my concept of time has greatly altered. Mainly, because it is available to me in large quantities. In this respect, it was an enjoyable journey, made all the easier having an emergency exit seat on both flights. The leg from Bangkok to Sydney was even more enjoyable speaking with a couple for most of the flight, who were from Gunnedah and spend time each year living in the Cotswolds in the UK. Emirates have just the best service, speaking with the hosties at the back of the plane. I made a comment on how new it was. They said it was an old one, being 4 years old. That’s Emirates for you! Coming from camping in the jungle of the Amazon, catching catfish on dental floss, to the excesses of Dubai airport, was something else. Quite literally, from one world to another. It was nice to have almost no interest in the items on sale. Not one shop had anything that was “needed”. My wants these days are diminishing rapidly. It really makes for an idyllic disposition for me. A little money sure goes a long way when spent only on needs. My dad passed away 3 days after I arrived. It was peaceful, with us all by his side. The rest of the time spent in NZ was with my mum and on my sisters farm near Twizel, south of CHCH. Here we cycled on the Alps to Ocean trail. The alpine scenery around Lake Tekapo and Pukaki is something else. It was great to eat lovely home cooked roasts and all sorts of other kiwi delights including my favourite, whitebait fritters. Fritters, where the egg is only used to hold the fish together. Other delights were meat pies, fish and chips and roast yams. Whilst in NZ, my Katydan water filter was repaired, a new Rhinolite rear wheel was purchased. Most importantly, a new three legged camp stool was also bought. If ever in CHCH and needing bike parts the Cycle Trading Store have all the gear needed for touring, from Brooks seats, racks to Surly bikes. The flight back completed my circumnavigation of the planet, flying from CHCH, Sydney, Honolulu, LAX, Atlanta, Brasilia, Manaus and finally Santarem, then the 4 hour bus trip to Rurópolis. At Atlanta, I was running late to connect. Then to top it off, the staff from Delta would not let me board for Brasilia because my visa, though still having time on it was issued before I left the country three weeks prior. I could not believe it, I had a good story for them and almost resorted to begging, to be allowed on board. I almost missed the plane .He explained to me that they get fined for letting people without proper entry documents get on their planes going to countries needing visas. My relief was almost indescribable, seeing him come running down the concourse back to the gate after his second visit to his boss, giving me the thumbs from a distance, indicating the good news. He did say I might have problems at the Brazil end. I did not care, I was on the plane, that bridge would be crossed later. On arrival in Brasilia, as expected, they dragged me aside. The visa was issued somewhere other than a border which helped matters. Anyway, they asked could I get out of Brazil before it expired. They were assured, I could. Riding a bike with a special feather attached has sublime advantages, My thoughts turned to elation. . It was valid till November. All my connecting flights were caught and finally, arrival, after a wild bus trip from Santarém was made. Arriving in Rurópolis at 2300 at the Hotel Pires, also the bus stop. The return trip had entailing stopping at 15 airports, 2 bus trips and circling the globe. My bike had been safely looked after. It was such a relief to find it and all my gear safe. It was great to be back in the balmy weather, eating the local basic foods again and enjoying the casualness of the whole scene. Being with just ordinary people in these little visited towns is so relaxing. Whilst in NZ, a blood test was taken to test for cholesterol, blood sugar content etc. I was curious to see what this lifestyle, the food and all the Coca Cola was doing to me. Everything came back perfect except my cholesterol was a little high, no change from last time. One could assume that with the exercise, a mind free from any stress, little alcohol and a good mix of basic foods, one can eat and drink with leisure. This said, a decision has been made to try to stop drinking Coca Cola. It has not been touched for nearly a month, and not missed. Instead, I will now carry lemons and squeeze them into the complimentary chilled water that always comes with meals. Today my bike was given a good going over, the rear wheel was replaced, the derailleur rollers were replaced and all brake cables oiled. It is going to be so good to be back on the road again. For me, this is now what I do. Going to the environment where I once lived is now, the definition of a holiday. From here, Ruta 163 will take me to the shores of the Amazon River at Santarém, another milestone on this passage, on the eastern side of the Andes here in South America.

It was great to catch up my two sons, Callum and Ben, even if the circumstances were so much less than desirable

There are still many open spaces in Christchurch city where an earthquake nearly leveled the CBD 4 years ago.

Container shopping centre, CHCH, NZ

Replica stone work following earthquake damage.
Christs College.

Hotel Pires, Rurópolis, Pará, Brazil.

Thankfully, having to dress like this is a rarity.

The dimensions and quantity of steel going into new buildings is unreal.

Salmon farm, Ohau canal, great fishing 30 and 40lb trout are caught in the vicinity.